Aries symbol

The Aries symbol (also called Aries glyph) is a shorthand representation of the Aries zodiac animal (see below). However, as with the animal itself, much is based both in interpretation and the preference of the writer, and can range from simple to extravagant.

The astrological symbol for Aries represents the head and horns of the ram. Above are some examples of commonly used styles for the Aries symbol. Each of these is equally valid - there is no 'correct' version as long as the general shape is maintained.

Origins of the zodiac symbols and signs

The word 'Zodiac' means circle of animals (though note a couple of signs aren't animals in the normal sense). These 'animals' were based originally on the pattern of the stars in their corresponding star constellation. Basically what the earliest astronomers and astrologers saw when they squinted at the night sky.

Due to this although Aries will always be represented by a ram, there isn't any one 'correct' shape or design for that ram. It's a cosmic game of join the dots, and some constellations even have alternative ways to form the animal from the dots (stars).

Aries the ram

Any picture of the shape, head or profile of a ram can therefore be comfortably used here. Designs range from the space-age to the ancient, and are limited only by the imagination of the artist, as long as it gets the point across. In the case of Aries, just make sure it doesn't look like a goat, as that's the symbol of a different sign (Capricorn)

Below is a representation of Aries the ram (and the Aries symbol, inset) from a medieval wood carving from the 16th century. While it's not suggested this is a great picture (hey, you try carving something into the side of a tree which will look sexy in 400 years time!) it does show how the basic concept of Aries the ram hasn't changed much over the centuries.